Approaching Week 14 in the National Football League and only four games remain for 26 teams that are still alive in playoff contention. Teams have a few options at this point. They can stay locked in where they are, step into the picture or… fade out of it. This is a time of the year that almost excites me just as much as the postseason itself, because every game played takes on a little bit more meaning. Let’s break down the remaining schedule for those still in the race to Super Bowl XLIX:
Top Seeds
New England Patriots (9-3) - After a tight loss in Lambeau, the Pats have been blessed with facing all of their division foes to close out the season. Not to mention two of those games are in Foxboro where they have simply dominated this season. Expect New England to keep the top seed, but if worse comes to worst, drop to the second spot.
@ SD
vs. MIA
@ NYJ
vs. BUF
 |
| Peyton Manning has thrown 36 TDs to just 9 picks |
vs. BUF
@ SD
@ CIN
vs. OAK
NFC
Arizona Cardinals (9-3) - The Cardinals have been resilient all season despite quarterback issues. However, I think their reign as the best team in the conference has come to an end. None of their next four games are particularly easy including what could be a pivotal season finale in San Fran.
 |
| Arizona remains the top seed after losing their last two |
@ STL
vs. SEA
@SF
Green Bay Packers (9-3) - The hottest team in the league looks ahead to one of the easiest finishing schedules. Signs point to the Packers hosting a game in Lambeau after a first-round bye. Their only concern may be in Week 17 when they rematch against one of the only three teams to beat them this season.
vs. ATL
@ BUF
@ TB
vs. DET
Other Division Leaders
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1) - The Bengals might actually be worse than their record indicates. Considering their upcoming opponents, they might also be in danger of missing the playoffs. Andy Dalton has to step up his game quick.
vs. PIT
@ CLE
vs. DEN
@PIT
Indianapolis Colts (8-4) - The AFC South is bad. Because of this, the Colts could be the first team in the league to clinch a division crown. That would mark a third straight season Andrew Luck has made the playoffs to open up his young career.
@ CLE
vs. HOU
@ DAL
@ TEN
NFC
 |
| Foles went down in a Week 9 matchup in Houston |
Philadelphia Eagles (9-3) - What a convincing win in Dallas on Thanksgiving. I still believe this division won’t be decided until the final week, as usual. If Foles is truly coming back within a matter of a few weeks, Philly has a slight advantage.
vs. SEA
vs. DAL
@ WAS
@ NYG
Atlanta Falcons (5-7) - It would shock me to see Atlanta still in this spot by season’s end. When it comes to on-the-field play, they just don’t look like a playoff team.
@ GB
vs. PIT
@ NO
vs. CAR
Wild Card
AFC
 |
| The combined record for San Diego's remaining opponents is 32-16 |
vs. NE
vs. DEN
@ SF
@ KC
Miami Dolphins (7-5) - This team has fought its’ way through some close victories all season long. Honestly, it’s still hard to tell how they’re going to play on a given week. The Dolphins might have to win three out of four to solidify a playoff berth.
vs. BAL
@ NE
vs. MIN
vs. NYJ
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (8-4) - Not quite the super bowl champion team we saw last season, but the Seahawks are still among the top in the conference. That status will be heavily tested in the upcoming weeks as they continue a 3-way battle for the NFC West crown.
@ PHI
vs. SF
@ AZ
vs. STL
 |
| In 2013, Bush topped 1,000 yards rushing for the second time in his career |
vs. TB
vs. MIN
@ CHI
@ GB
Still Alive
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (7-5) - The Chiefs will need to get ahead against teams in order to keep the foundation of a run game going. I could see them winning 2 more games but even 9-7 may not cut it in the AFC.
@AZ
vs. OAK
@ PIT
vs. SD
Buffalo Bills (7-5) - It was fun while it lasted for the Buffalo. 7-5 was more than they could ask for at this point in this season. Unfortunately they still need to play three of the NFL’s best teams.
@ DEN
vs. GB
@ OAK
 |
| Joe Flacco has a 20-8 TD-INT ratio, his most efficient season to date |
Baltimore Ravens (7-5) - Last season the Ravens missed the postseason for the first time in 6 years. I have a hard time believing they will let that happen again, and they’re looking at a favorable schedule to complete the season.
@ MIA
vs. JAX
@ HOU
vs. CLE
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) - Man those games against Cincinnati will prove to be critical. Pittsburgh has been a fun team to watch this year, from Big Ben’s 5 TD games to Le’Veon Bell’s standout performances. I expect them to be playing once January rolls around.
@ CIN
@ ATL
vs. KC
vs. CIN
Cleveland Browns (7-5) - The Browns are the biggest surprise to me this year. Whether Johnny Manziel starts during this final stretch or not, they’ve made some progress as a team and the future may not be as dark as we thought. But a playoff team? Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.
vs. IND
vs. CIN
@ CAR
@ BAL
Houston Texans (6-6) - Two games versus the Jaguars give this team an outside shot of being a wild card team. Of course, no games are freebies and the Texans have shown they are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league.
@ JAX
@ IND
vs. BAL
vs. JAX
NFC
Dallas Cowboys (8-4) - While 8-8 for a 4th straight season is unlikely, missing out on the postseason isn’t necessarily. If it comes down to the final week of the season like always, Dallas is fortunate to play an underachieving Redskins team. But the key game for them is an attempt on revenge in Philadelphia.
@ CHI
@ PHI
vs. IND
@ WAS
San Francisco 49ers (7-5) - A nice cushion game up next for Niners before they go up against some tough teams. Their scenario is really difficult to predict because, like Seattle, they aren’t the same dominant team they were over the past couple years. Don’t be surprised to see them left out of the picture.
@ OAK
@ SEA
vs. SD
vs. AZ
 |
| The Saints have dropped 3 straight games at the Superdome |
vs. CAR
@ CHI
vs. ATL
@ TB
Chicago Bears (5-7) - Chicago’s best chance to spark a strong finish was last Thursday in Detroit. They just can’t seem to keep momentum going long enough during games. The Bears will probably have to win out in order to get any wild card opportunity, but that would actually require Jay Cutler to start utilizing his weapons.
vs. Dallas
vs. NO
vs. DET
@ MIN
Minnesota Vikings (5-7) - Without a legitimate quarterback and running back to most people’s standards, the Vikings have somehow managed to compete in a lot of games this year. 7-9 exceeds expectations made for this team.
vs. NYJ
@ DET
@ MIA
vs. CHI
St. Louis Rams (5-7) - Talk about a “bad” team with some quality wins. Including a 52-0 shutout against Oakland last week, the Rams boast victories the Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks. And after all that, it’s doubtful they make the playoffs.
@ WAS
vs. AZ
vs. NYG
@ SEA
Carolina Panthers (3-8-1) - After going 12-4 and taking the #2 seed last season, the Panthers have gone completely into the other direction. Yes, the defense isn’t as stingy, but a Cam Newton led offense is struggling to barely put up 20 points a game. Somethings gotta give here.
@ NO
vs. TB
vs. CLE
@ ATL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-10) - A team with two wins all season is somehow “still alive”. They’ll be dead in about a week.
@ DET
@ CAR
vs. GB
vs. NO
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